Chapter II: Introduction

The pleasing task of writing an introduction to the life of my noble friend, Rev. A. J. Newgent, has fallen upon me. The intimate association which I have had with him for many years gives me a peculiar pleasure in seeing the record of his splendid life placed before the Church.

Biography is one of the most important departments of literature, and Mr. Newgent is eminently worthy of the permanent place in history which this volume accords him. I feel that fitting tributes in historic sketches should not only be paid the men of God who have planted the Church in this nation, but posterity should come and say over their graves, as Pericles did over the bodies of his fallen fellow soldiers: “You are like the divinities above us: you are known only by the benefits you have conferred.” It is of such a man, though still living among us, that Dr. W. E. Snyder gives the accurately drawn portraiture in the chapters of this well-written biography. The work has been prepared with good judgment and much skill. The incidents of his life are given in sufficient detail, and make the volume exceedingly interesting and instructive. Such a publication is of great value, not only to those who enter the ministry, but to the whole Church, and especially to the young. To study the career of one, who, by fortitude and zeal, has carved his way from humble surroundings to a high place of honor among his fellow-men—passing through varied and striking vicissitudes in the struggle—can but inspire and ennoble other lives.

Entering the ministry before our pioneer style of life had passed away in the west, Mr. Newgent adapted himself to the humblest conditions of society. The fields of labor which he occupied in those early years of his pastorate were sufficient to remind him of the privation and hardships of those who had preceded him; but no condition was humble enough or severe enough to deter him from the work to which his young life had been consecrated. He could lodge in the loft of the lowliest cabin and subsist upon the cheapest fare. In quest of souls he thought little of anything else. Living among the people, a very small salary would suffice for him. He knew what it was to live on a moiety of one hundred dollars and less. There have been no dangers or hardships, no toils or privations, no suffering or sorrow sufficient to daunt his heroic spirit. Fortunately, Mr. Newgent is so constructed as to see the bright side of every difficulty, and his inimitable humor has made his family and friends laugh in the darkest hours of his ministerial life.

Unflinching loyalty to the Church has ever marked the career of Mr. Newgent. Though he has been peculiarly free from sectarian prejudices or bitterness, his attachment to his own people has been conscientious and unwavering. All his energies have been devoted to the advancement of the Church of his choice. He has stood for the defense of its doctrines and polity, and those who have drawn him into debate over any feature of our system have not challenged him a second time. In the earlier days of his ministry he was many times called in debate with the strongest men of other denominations, and has proved himself equal to any antagonist who has met him in discussion. Many have gone down before his unanswerable arguments, and not a few have been driven from the contest because they could not stand before the torrent of his eloquence and the indescribable power of his wit. In all his ministerial work these qualities have often been of great advantage to him. Few men could possess such wit and eccentricities as Mr. Newgent commands, and use them to advantage without some objection by the people. But like all his other gifts, these peculiar qualities have been consecrated to the service of doing good, and in their use he has maintained his ministerial consecration and influence with never a breath of suspicion cast upon his good name.

It is gratifying to his many friends that Mr. Newgent, though retired from the active work of the ministry, is still in possession of all his mental powers, and no doubt will live to read his own biography. Few men have been so fortunate. To have spent his long and useful life in the most interesting period of the history of the Church, and then remain to read the part he has played in the making of that history, is a privilege that most of Christ’s embassadors have never enjoyed. Back when the Publishing House was struggling for existence, he loyally supported the little plant, and never failed to circulate our books and push our periodicals in every charge he has filled. When our institutions of learning were in their infancy, and much opposition was brought against education, he was a friend of the schools, and again and again has gone into the field to raise money for their support. He has seen the great benevolent boards of the Church and nearly all our connectional institutions come up from the smallest beginnings, and has never failed to espouse the cause of these important agencies for the promotion of Christ’s kingdom. Even the conference in which he began his ministry has grown in his day from a handful to a host, and no man has watched its growth with deeper pride or more anxious concern than himself.

I could write much more in the line of these thoughts, but the chapters of this volume will give in clear light the characteristics which can only be hinted at in the limits of an introduction. The skilled pen of the biographer will bring out in forceful and charming manner the noble traits of the gifted brother whose career he has studied with great care and painstaking interest. Let the book have a wide circulation, let the youth read its inspiring sentiments, and the horizon of their thoughts will be enlarged and the desire to be loyal to God and to every good work will be stimulated and strengthened.

T. C. CARTER.

November 27, 1911.

CONTENTS

PAGE

Preface 3

Introduction 4

CHAPTER ONE

Ancestry—Picture of pioneer life—Imprisonment and release
of Pompey Smash—Little Jack’s short-cut in the study of
astronomy—The fate of his first pair of breeches 9

CHAPTER TWO

The tragic death of the father—Removal to Parke County—School
Days—Conversion—Change of church relationship—A remarkable
providence 23

CHAPTER THREE

Call to the ministry—First sermon—The boy preacher—Answering
a fool after his folly—Turning a camp-meeting tide—Quieting a
skirmish—Takes a wife 39

CHAPTER FOUR

Conference membership—Brulitz Creek ministry—The modern
knight and his steed—Abrupt closing of family devotions by
a dog-on-the-preacher—An original marriage ceremony—A case
of mistaken identity—A banner missionary collection—Shawnee
Prairie pastorate—A cold day in April—The redemption of Hell’s
Half Acre—Baiting for a perverse fish—An experience in the
whisky business 51

CHAPTER FIVE

Six months at Rainsville—A hot-bed of Southern sympathizers—A
mix-up with saloon men—A sermon on slavery—Fire and
brimstone—An antagonist outwitted—A sermon from the book of
Newgent—Can any good thing come out of Rainsville? 70

CHAPTER SIX

The war spirit in Indiana—Breaking up a traitorous plot—Narrow
escape from enemies—Assists in securing recruits—Becomes
chaplain of his regiment—Exchange of courtesies with a
Presbyterian minister—An embarrassing predicament—Saves his
regiment from capture—Organizes military church—Chased by
Johnnies—An exciting homeward journey 80

CHAPTER SEVEN

Plants the United Brethren banner in Terre Haute—Prairieton
pastorate—Difficulty with the sons of Anak—A prayer without an
“Amen”—Another community redeemed—Going to the wrong doctor—A
perverse colt—An unintentional immersion—One sermon that was
not dry 98

CHAPTER EIGHT

The New Goshen pastorate—An old grudge healed—Dry bones
revived—Memorable year at “Dogtown”—“Death in the pot”—The
Hittites captured—The “Jerks”—Other remarkable demonstrations—A
rooster in the missionary collection—First debate—Unpleasant
sequel to a horse trade 111

CHAPTER NINE

Labors at Mattoon, Illinois—A persistent campaign and a great
victory—Second New Goshen pastorate—A coincidence—Success at
Prairieton—Laboring in the shadow—The death of Mrs. Newgent—A
bishop’s tribute to her character 131

CHAPTER TEN

First great debate—The debate as an institution—The
challenge—Opponents get weak-kneed—Prolonging maneuvers—A
hungry multitude unfed—Battle begins—Questions discussed—An
improvised creed for his opponent—A premature baptism—An
opponent’s tribute to his genius—Crowning the victor 138

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Subsequent debates—The Owen contest—He got his
“Treat”—Opponent’s confession—Dressing “Stone”—A scared
Baptist—Invades the Lutheran ranks—Measures steel with Doctor
Ingram—Dissertation on infant baptism—Opponent’s early
flight—Concludes the debate alone—The Haw debate 155

CHAPTER TWELVE

Perrysville and Centerpoint—Industry rewarded from an
unsuspected source—A “slick wedding”—Fruitful labors at
Centerpoint—A one-sided union meeting—The doctrine of the
resurrection again demonstrated 171

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Becomes a missionary superintendent—Second marriage—An
unexpected welcome—Forms a Quaker friendship—The Spirit moves
in a Quaker meeting—A Quaker’s prayer answered—Builds a
college—Shows what to do for a dead church—Another tilt on the
doctrine of baptism—Conversion of a Dunkard preacher—Turns a
great movement in the right direction 180

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Autumn—The fading leaf—Fruit in old age—His later
labors—Present home 196

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

A Character Sketch 202

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“Lights out,” a dirge of the war 219